Quintessential Spielberg. The innocence and wonder help bring the viewer on this alien adventure. (Although, it has more to do with how humans REACT to aliens.) Spielberg's obsession with the "missing Father" began here. The energy within each scene is also quite remarkable. However, there's a slight immaturity and naivety to Spielbeg's story, which isn't without its contrived parts. Still, for its time, it was revolutionary.